4 fires start in Grand Canyon National Park

ST. GEORGE – Grand Canyon National Park officials are urging visitors to use “extreme caution” when participating in outdoor activities due to the reported “high” fire danger in the North Rim and “very high” danger on the South Rim.

Four fires started on May 23 on the North Rim of the park, two of which are actively being suppressed by park resources, said Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, GCNP acting public affairs officer.

“The first is located on Uncle Jim Point (east of the developed area) and is approximately one-third of an acre,” Shedlowski said. “The second fire is located on the Tail of the Dragon.”

Park fire managers currently are monitoring the two fires.

“Both are currently burning in single trees — one of the 2003 Poplar Fire scar area, and the second tree is north of Galahad Point,” Shedlowski reported.

Shedlowski said, historically, human-caused fires have started by outdoor cooking and warming fires, smoking and use of chain saws or heavy equipment.

As of April 28, four fires have been reported to the Bureau of Land Management Color Country District, burning only one acre. However, with drought-like conditions and fire season around the corner, fire restrictions are likely to take place.

Prescribed fires in Dixie National Forest took place late last year and continued into May in several Southern Utah areas, including Panguitch, Parowan and Duck Creek to maintain the forest’s ecosystem and reduce the threats of large, destructive wildfires.

“These prescribed fire treatments are designed to improve timber stands, watersheds, wildlife habitat, regenerate aspen, and reduce unnatural and heavy dead/downed woody debris, while improving ecosystem health,” according to the notice. “Healthier forests with less dead woody debris in the understory are far less susceptible to unwanted destructive wildfires.”

For information about Utah fires or restrictions, visit Utahfireinfo.gov.